Can Stress Add On Pounds?

For me… Yes! Why is it every time I walk onto the kitchen the refrigerator is staring me in the face? Seriously, it seems to literally call my name and says… come! Come eat something!

The bad part is what I actually reach for. You would think I would reach for an apple! Besides… "an apple a day keeps the Dr away" But no… instead I reach for a muffin or a Big piece of chocolate.

So, is it stress? Is this whole Covid 19 Virus to blame? Maybe. Because in the last two month I have packed on a few pounds!! UGG! I hate when that happens! Am I an emotional eater? I think I am.

So What kind of stress causes someone to eat because of their emotions?

Anything from losing your job, to financial worries to having to social distance, not being able to see the kids and grandkids etc. Any of these can be the root cause of feeling the need to reach for a bag of potatoes chips or eat that chocolate bar staring you in the face. It’s called emotional eating.

While it effects both sexes, emotional eating is more common among women then in men.

But why food?

Negative emotions can lead to a feeling of emptiness or an emotional void. Food is believed to be a way to fill that void and create a false feeling of fullness or temporary happiness.

Stress can make you eat more “Mindlessly’ as anxious thoughts race through your head. Emotional eating is when we’re not even focusing on the taste of the food, or how much we’ve eaten or even when we feel full. We just keep eating more yet feel less satisfied.

The difference...

Physical hunger	Emotional hunger
It develops slowly over time.	It comes about suddenly or abruptly.
You desire a variety of food groups.	You crave only certain foods.
You feel the sensation of fullness and take it as a cue to stop eating.	You may binge on food and not feel a sensation of fullness.
You have no negative feelings about eating.	You feel guilt or shame about eating.

We need to find other ways to deal with stress.

Maybe read a good book or how about journaling, or meditating? I find having my quiet time each morning before I start my day and reading my bible quiets my soul and slows down the anxious thoughts in my mind.

I also find It’s helpful to take a walk especially on stressful days or when I feel really overwhelmed and emotionally fatigued. When I feel really stressed I feel angry. Anyone relate?

That is when I walk over to my oil counter and reach for the Stress Away Oil and slather it on me. A drop or two on the back of my neck or my wrist is really all I need but in the heat of the moment… I want to pour the entire bottle on me. LOL

When I feel super hungry between meals or... I feel the need to eat... hungry or not, I need to make a decision. Do I head for the refrigerator or.... do I reach for oils?

I find adding a drop or two of grapefruit oil or peppermint oil in a glass of water takes away my cravings and Lemon oil improves my mood and focus.

Most of these oils come in the "Young Living Starter Kit" which comes with 11 oils, a diffuser, packets of our amazing antioxidant energy booster “Ningxia Red” etc. All this for $165.00. If you would like the starter kit shoot me an email or go to https://www.youngliving.com/apps/enrollment/step/1

Always be mindful....are you eating because of physical hunger or emotional hunger?

I'd be happy if you would check out my web site or leave a comment below.